Monday 28 / April / 2025
At least eight inmates were killed and dozens more injured in clashes with guards at a high-security prison on the outskirts of the Sri Lankan capital, officials said on Monday.
The rioting erupted as prisoners at the Mahara jail complex, some 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) north of Colombo, broke out of their cells to protest over rising coronavirus infections at the facility.
Some 600 officers were deployed around the building's perimeter until the situation was brought under control, according to police spokesman Ajith Rohana.
He also said that though they couldn't say for certain, most of the deaths and injuries appeared to be due to gunshots.
